Kent sign Matt Henry for 2018 season

Kent’s overseas player for the first half of the 2018 season will be New Zealand bowler Matt Henry.

New Zealand bowler Matt Henry will be looking to revive his international career with an impressive spell at Kent for 2018 County Championship and Royal London Cup

The 26-year-old signed for the Specsavers County Championship Division Two side on Wednesday. Henry will be available for the opening seven matches of the County Championship and the Royal One Day Cup.

Henry has played nine Tests for New Zealand and has taken 167 wickets from 46 first-class games. His last appearance for the national side, however, came in January, a 15-run win in the fifth ODI of Pakistan’s tour.

In the past two seasons Henry has experienced County Championship cricket, having spells with Worcestershire and Derbyshire, as well as playing for Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings for two years.

Speaking about Henry’s signing, Kent director of cricket, Paul Downton said: “Matt is an excellent bowler who will add international experience as well as pace and penetration to our attack.”

The Christchurch-born bowler admitted that he could not wait to get started with his new team-mates.

“I’m looking forward to joining Kent for the new county season,” he said. “I’ve heard lots of good things about the club from the other New Zealand players who have played at Kent and can’t wait to get started.”

Henry joins Kent with a wealth of pedigree and experience in England and overseas, however, will the 26-year-old will be able to carry forward his talent into a new chapter with Kent? He may be able to deliver wickets for his County side, but he will require support from his batting team-mates should the side want to finish higher than last year’s fifth place.